Josh McGovern

The dark piece of folk/Americana opens with his unique deep tones, which are achingly beautiful among hushed guitar strums before he breaks into a deeply emotive chorus. The result is similar to the songwriting work of Nick Cave, Jeff Buckley and Leonard Cohen.

The video features haunting shots of sea-swept cliffs, cut between Josh delivering his mournful, melancholic and mesmerising voice. The atmosphere is dark and introspective, with soulful searching sentiments conjured by rolling waves on the British coast.

Catherine McGrath

Lastly, perfect for an Advent Calendar – It’s very nearly time for the Christmas Holidays to begin, a gorgeous stripped-back version of the classic ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ by country-pop star Catherine McGrath.

It’s a beautiful and warming acoustic ballad. No jingle bells, just her gorgeous voice and melodic guitar-playing to get you ready for the festive season.

Bluesdoodles is looking forward to working with Wilful throughout 2018.

Advent Day 18 What Bluesdoodles Talked about in 2017

Throughout 2017 Bluesdoodles has had the opportunity to talk to some wonderful musicians. Adding to the excitement We now have Wes O’Neill who will continue throughout out 2018 bringing you insightful interviews; Liz will be adding some as well. Bluesdoodles giving you an inside view of the artists we love to hear play live and recorded. Everyone at Bluesdoodles thanks, to the PR and Record Companies and most of all our gratitude to all the artists for their valuable time and willingness to answer the questions.
Bluesdoodles discussed, new albums, debut Albums, first Headliner Tour and what makes a great song. Explore the thirty conversations, listen and buy the music and see artist live where and whenever possible

A Thousand Horses In Conversation with Bluesdoodles

BD: I was delighted when Wilful PR sent me a review copy of your new album Bridges and the opportunity to find out yourselves, influence and lots more. When I saw you play live at Rockstock last December for me you were the band of the Saturday night.

A Thousand Horses, have answered the questions as a team hence four bands of fantasy and delight. Read more for an insight into Michael Hobby Lead Vocals; Bill Satcher Lead Guitar, Zach Brown Guitar and Vocal & Graham Deloach Bass and Vocal

BD: What were your first musical influences growing up?
Thousand Horses:Graham: I loved all of the classic rock n roll growing up, and still do! Led Zeppelin is my favorite band of all timeZach: My parents listened to oldies in the car when I was growing up. The first concert I can remember going to was The Beach Boys out at the lake near our house. I didn’t learn that there was music made after 1970 until a friend played the song Breakfast at Tiffany’s for me when I was 10 years old.Bill: The BeatlesHobby: The Black Crowes

BD: A Thousand Horses are making an impact, how did you get together and form the band and what is the significance of the name?

Thousand Horses:Hobby: We formed the band in Nashville in 2010. Bill and I grew up together in Newberry, SC and met when we were 12 and 13 years old in a local music store. Graham is bills cousin so we would all 3 hang out every summer and play music. We formed ATH when we met Zach through a mutual friend in 2010. We named the band after a song we wrote when we formed the title A Thousand Horses.

We all write in the band together, separately, and with other writers here in town. Everyone in the band brings a great deal of creativity to song writing and our sound whether it be lyric, melody, or music, it’s a group thing. You never know where a song can come from or inspiration can spark!

BD: Bridges, is your follow-up album to your success with your debut Southernality last year. Produced by the Band, Corey Crowder & Dann Huff. With many involved in producing the sound who gets the final production say?

Thousand Horses:Bill: Well, Corey Crowder and Dann Huff both really wanted to make the best A Thousand Horses record that we could, so at the end of the day we were the ones with final approval on the album and they wanted it to be that way. But they’re so badass that there wasn’t much to be debated about in the end.

BD: How did you choose the tracks and then decide that Preachin’ To The Choir should be the single to proclaim the album?

Thousand Horses:Graham: We love every song that is on the new album. We are always writing and creating new music and these are some of our favorites that we wanted our fans to hear. We chose ‘Preachin’ to the Choir’ as our first single because we thought it was a great song for our fans and a great first impression and representation of the new musical project (Bridges) as a whole.Bill: I think that every new song we write, record, lyric we jot down or melody we try and refine, we are always pushing it and ourselves to be better than what we have done before. So, in a way, yes it’s more challenging because we are pushing harder to be better. So most the pressure or challenge comes from within ourselves. As far as the album title “Bridges” goes, we decided to name the project that because we feel that song’s meaning encapsulates everything we have been through in the process of creating this new music. It’s a song about light heartily looking back and being able to laugh at the mistakes you made along the road of life. It kind of defines our point of view at this time in our lives.

BD: Bridges has seven of the thirteen tracks recorded live. Six of them at Metropolis Studio in London what do you feel this approach adds to the music and what made Metropolis the place to be for Bridges?

Thousand HorsesZach: I think we wanted to show something real and raw with the Metropolis sessions. So much music coming out these days is so computer heavy that sometimes people don’t even know what artists actually sound like. We wanted to do something stripped down, one take, just us and our instruments. Metropolis has one of the only direct to vinyl machines left, so it was the perfect place to capture the live half of the record.

BD: I have always been interested in the lyrics of a song. Where do you get your inspiration for your songwriting?

Thousand Horses:Hobby: Song writing has always been a passion of mine since I got my first guitar and learned to play it. Instead of learning other people’s songs I would make my own up. Lyrically I always wanted to have truth in my stories. A lot of what I write about is real life things that I have lived or been a part of.

BD: The music Industry is constantly evolving with changes often not for the better, how have the changes impacted on Thousand Horses Country Rock style of music?

Thousand Horses:Graham: I think that the music has become more accessible as the industry and the genre of country music grows. This allows us to reach more people with our music.

BD: I am sure you have many plans for 2017 and beyond for the band do you plan to tour UK and Europe?

Thousand Horses:Zach: We love playing in the UK and are really looking forward to getting over to the rest of Europe. We have a few things in the works so stay tuned!

BD: Is there anything you want to say to your fans reading this interview?

Thousand Horses:Hobby: Thank you for your continued support and believing in our music. We love ya and can’t wait to rock with you soon.

BD: If you were putting together the perfect fantasy band with members from across the years (dead or alive) who would you have playing

Thousand Horses:Graham: Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes on drums, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd on bass/vocals, Billy Powell of Lynyrd Skynyrd on keys, Mike Campbell of The Heartbreakers on guitar, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin on lead vocal.Zach: Gotta start with the rhythm section cause it’s the backbone of the band. I always wanted to play drums like Keith Moon growing up so I’d have him on drums and Ashton Barrett, who played with Bob Marley, on bass. Then I’d add my favorite guitar duo, Keith Richards and Ron Wood, because they sound cool playing anything! I’d round it out with Freddie Mercury as the front man.Bill: Rich Robinson – Guitar, vocal. Joe Walsh – Guitar, vocal. Liam Gallagher – vocal. Steve Gorman – Drums. Benmont Tench – Keys. Paul McCartney – Bass, vocal. Produced by Jeff Lynne.Hobby: Tom Petty, Dwight Yokam, Max Martin, Jon Paul Jones, Steven Tyler and Prince on drums.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with Bluesdoodles. read the review for the latest album Bridges – HERE

Bridges building A Thousand Horses Southern Rock on New Album

Opening with a driving of beat drums as the horses are rounded up and A Thousand Horses ride across the Bridges of their own creation this is music that is infectious. As you get immersed into a blaze of glory A Thousand Horses takes you not to one bridge, spanning one river. This is thirteen tracks exploring Bridges that span, fast flowing melodies; lyrics with twists and turns, fulsome ballads and the slower eddies that take you nowhere but always a deep memorable moment in time.

Bridges builds on the success of their debut album Southernality; with heavy injections of Southern Rock, never drowning out the country rooted power of the lyrics unveiling a story punctuated by soaring riffs, licks and the rhythmic drive of the drum and bass. The thirteen tracks divide the album into two; first six tracks are brand new studio recordings that will soon be firm favourites at the live shows. Then seven tracks recorded live, the majority in London at Metropolis studio. The last track being the first hit, played on country radio, the infectious crowd sing-along number Smoke. Recorded back in the home of Country where it all began in Nashville.

Third track in, Preachin’ To The Choir, hits the spot with its gritty edge of the real world of partying, and drinking on a Saturday night after a tough working week. This isn’t gospel it is a working person’s anthem. Tinged with anger yet totally catchy an in the moment an ear worm that makes it perfect for radio play. The beat throbs and the melody curls as we are introduced to One Man Army, as we are taken deep into the essence of southern music it is the vocals that have to be able to engage and tell the story. This is done with slower consideration almost acoustic, before with a swirl of sound the chorus lifts the song. everyone wants a man who can be your bridge protecting you from hardship and cruelty always around and always can be counted on! The pace is slowed down for the title track Bridges, these are the ones you burn in life with the backing vocals adding another texture. Southern rock warm and rich with the heat rising then cooling with the words that paint the scene this is story telling at its best.

A Thousand Horses through there irresistible Country Rock has connected us with the Album Bridges. Closing the first part of the album is the standout track Weekends in a Small Town. It has a beauty, the music has a fluidity that captivates full of yearning, capturing living in a small town. This is a story anyone who has lived in a small town can instantly recognise.

The live tracks remind you why Southernality was such a hit in 2015 and why A Thousand Horses add something to the tracks when they play live. The repeat of Preachin’ To The Choir is stripped back to its Country heart acoustic and gives the lyrics even greater focus. Re-visiting the title track we hear the voices of the band and this affirms this number will become a firm favourite adding to the strength and depth of A Thousand Horses set list. A Thousand Horses are a quartet with Southern drive as Michael Hobby; Bill Satcher, Zach Brown and Graham Deloach combine together creating a mighty force of rock infused country, sizzling with attitude and melodic fervor as we meet those Bridges in the road head on.

In life one bridge is never enough and that is true of the Album as the deep Country bridge connect with rock; hill country and so much more Bridges; and takes us across stormy waters on a cascade of melodic intensity reinforced with storytelling lyrics of music that connects to your inner feelings. The bridges we burn and those we cross or ignore make up our life’s story captured in an album.

A Thousand Horses ‘Travelin’ Man’ Video & Tour Dates

Frontman Michael Hobby “Travelin’ Man is one of our favourite songs to perform live” and this video shows why as they sing about being on the road ready to play the music fans love to here.

The video features the band in various live performances and backstage footage from their huge US tour supporting Jason Aldean earlier this year. Travelin’ Man is full of Southern heat with that finger licking guitar and vocals that curls around like swamp water lapping at the edge of a bayou. It is energetic, full of hooky guitar licks, harmonica squeals and is a thumping country-rock anthem taken from their rave reviewed debut album Southernality on sale HERE

The band have been making a real name for themselves in the UK, being one of the most talk about bands after their phenomenal performance at C2C this year as well as Planet Rock playlisting four of their previous tracks including the title-track ’Southernality’. They are also nominated for ‘Best New Band’ at this year’s Classic Rock Awards and were nominated for ‘Group Of The Year’ at the Academy of Country Music Awards this year.

Not heard them play live yet? UK audiences your opportunity has arrived!